Page 90 of Can't Win 'Em All
“Oh, so him conveniently waiting by the door of the ice cream shop at three o’clock every single day for weeks and then going in to eat with you wasn’t a date?”
“I … huh.” I had never really looked at it that way. “I just thought it was a coincidence he was there at the same time every day.”
“Even on his days off?” Zach gave me a “come on, Ruby” look. “And here I thought you were my smart sister.”
“Hey!” Opal and Pearl said in unison.
Zach realized his mistake too late to take it back. “Sorry,” he said quickly. “That came out wrong.”
“How was it supposed to come out?” Pearl challenged.
“Yeah, I’m not answering that.” Zach shook his head. “What did you want to talk to us about if you’re not getting married?”
The suggestion that I had been dating Rex this whole time had thrown me. I managed to pull myself back on track, but it took effort. “You guys have a new casino manager coming in,” I started.
“Kathy Clemson,” Mom confirmed. “She comes highly recommended.”
“I didn’t recommend her,” Dad muttered under his breath.
“She’s very good at what she does and too old for Dad to hit on,” Opal said. “She’s in her forties, which means she’s twenty years too old for Dad to allow his libido to get him in trouble.”
Dad rolled his eyes. “I’m in a committed relationship with Claire.”
“Yes, that’s why you were down sniffing around the casino floor girls three days ago,” Zach agreed dryly.
“I was just making conversation,” Dad protested.
“When have you ever been good at making conversation?” Mom asked. “Just … stop being you.”
Dad turned into a sullen teenager. “Maybe you should stop being you. We would still be married if you weren’t you.”
“Ryder, the adults are talking,” Mom said in her most condescending voice. “If you feel you can contribute, then by all means, we want to hear from you. Otherwise, shut up.” Her expression was soft when she turned back to me. “Do you have a problem with the new casino manager?”
“I know nothing about her,” I replied. “I don’t really care about that stuff. Especially now.” I absently rubbed my stomach. “It’s just … Rex and I were talking. Apparently, the room she’ll be getting as part of her job package is right by my room.” Now that I was broaching the subject, I felt uncomfortable. They were all going to make fun of me. I just knew it.
“You don’t want her by you?” Mom’s forehead creased. “I don’t think she’s the type to be loud, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“It’s not. I just…” I broke off and rubbed my forehead, suddenly tired.
“Just spit it out, Ruby,” Pearl ordered. “You’re going to give birth to the first grandchild in less than two months. That makes you Mom’s favorite right now. She’s going to give you whatever you want.”
“Yes, I’ve been thinking of the baby calling me Mimi,” Mom said out of nowhere. “You know, instead of Grandma … or Nana … or anything else that might make me seem older than I am.”
“You’re the freaking Crypt-Keeper already,” Dad interjected. “How much older can you seem?”
Mom shot him the bird. “Keep it up, and I’ll figure out a way to strip the few remaining shares you have left. Push me and see how it goes.”
Dad made a harrumphing noise. The way he glared at Mom made me uneasy. I kept it together, though.
“Rex had a suggestion—and I actually agree with him—but you guys need to sign off on it.” I licked my lips. “He thought he could move into the room that’s earmarked for Kathy. Then she could have his current room after a quick clean and spruce.”
“Ah.” Amusement flooded Mom’s features. “So you’re saying that Rex would be the one who is close to you and not Kathy.”
“Why don’t you guys just move in with one another now?” Pearl challenged. “I mean … that’s where this is clearly going.”
I balked. “We’ve been dating for two weeks. We’re not ready to move in together.”
Pearl made an exaggerated face. “Oh, give me a break. You and Rex are bonded for life just like these two.” She motioned toward Zach and Olivia, who were making moon eyes at one another. “It’s obvious.”
